Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: smg on 2002-09-19 18:47:29

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Well, Rolling Stone once had a cover article entitled "Richard Thompson: The Best Guitarist in Rock (and why you've never heard of him)".

Some people seem to have trouble listening to his voice, but if you can get past that I highly recommend giving him a shot.

I have also been listening to a lot of Wes Montgomery lately.

He's a hard man to find......

A founding member of the seminal British folk-rock group Fairport Convention, he remained with the band for five studio albums — Fairport Convention (1968), What We Did on Our Holiday (released as Fairport Convention in the U.S.) (1968), Unhalfbricking (1969), Liege and Lief (1969), and Full House (1970) — and one live recording (Live at the L.A. Troubadour [recorded in September 1970, released 1976]....aka Richard Thompson.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Volcano on 2002-09-19 18:57:09

Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour for me.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Rommel on 2002-09-19 20:53:20

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1. Jimmi Hendricks..He was the single greatest rock guitarist to ever walk this Earth

James Marshall "Jimi" HendrixNovember 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970

"Forever in our hearts"

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Somebody on 2002-09-19 22:17:08

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: HotshotGG on 2002-09-20 00:21:43

Even though the list could go on forever I am just going to state some guitar players that really stand out to me.

The Greatest Of Them (History):1. Van Halen - He comes in first, because he practically invented the 'tap' humoursly which gave metal/power rock in the 1980's a jump start to some serious solo's. 2. Jimi Hendrix - Right there behind Van Halen as expected, that's obvious 3. Rhandy Rhoads - The heart and soul of Black Sabbath next to Ozzy before he passed on. 4. Joe Satriani

My Personal Favorites (Present Day)5. Rivers Cuomo - Maybe not the greatest of all time, but he can crank off some beautiful solo's/riff's as we saw in 'Maladroit' and has an uncanty ability for writing music. 6. Billy Corgan - I think some of the tracks on 'Siamese Dream' are enough to say it all.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: CiTay on 2002-09-20 00:24:04

I'm really no expert, but Dominic Miller sounds cool... he's been on tour with Sting, so maybe it's because i like the music itself already. But Miller manages to create that certain "atmosphere" in some songs, it's fantastic.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Dezibel on 2002-09-20 00:44:51

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Sabre on 2002-09-20 07:58:30

It seems like everyone is listing the same sorts of guitar heroes as the greatest players. What about the innovators who radically changed the genre?

Andres Segovia made the guitar a recognized performance instrument, and without him there's no telling what the instrument would be used for today. His classical work is amazing. Also, Spanish and flamenco guitarists from that time used the tapping technique... just a wee bit before Van Halen came around.

Robert Johnson opened up all kinds of possibilities in blues, and Wes Montogomery did much the same for jazz.

But forgetting about those important players for the moment, I'd have to say my favorites include:

Shawn Lane - not only is he faster than anyone listed on this page, but he's keen on writing actual melodies and soulful music that isn't designed to show off. Most of it is done in one take or is live and improvised so there's a raw emotional power to it that's lacking from guitarists like Vai and Malmsteen and Petrucci.

Ron Thal - He can also play faster than anyone listed here, but like Lane, doesn't bother doing so for the most part. Thal focuses on making unheard of sounds and communicating in unique ways.

Chuck Schuldiner - His playing is probably too noisy for non-metal fans, but he wrote some of the most expressive riffs and solos that metal has ever seen.

And last of all, why haven't more people mentioned David Gilmour? The Pink Floyd guitarist has covered nearly all of the styles mentioned and has done so with a sense of style and class that is almost unheard of. Very few shred and prog guitarists actually speak with their guitars, much less on the level that Gilmour did.

I don't write this to say that a lot of the guitarists mentioned so far aren't worthy, but I am surprised that there is such a strong focus on guitar heroes instead of true innovators that seek to communicate with their music. And yes, I know I'm not the first to mention some of these guitarists, but they don't seem to be getting their due credit.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: GeSomeone on 2002-09-20 09:33:08

I think it's kind of pointless to list again all those great guitarists that have allready been mentioned, so I'll just add a few that I missed.

- Jan Akkerman (Focus)- George Benson (great jazzy tunes)

I also like- John Amor (blues rock)

--Ge Someone

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: petracci on 2002-09-20 09:48:47

My choices may sound rather whimiscal at first but it all comes down to my personal preferences. I have absolutely no respect for twiddly-twaddly style of playing. Twiddly-twaddly is a poor translation from finnish word 'tilulilu' meaning worn-out, predictable, amelodic and totally unnecessary technical high-pitched guitar solo-style of playing (usually following pentatonic scales) prominent in 80's rock and heavy metal. Yngwie Malmsteen is the lead evangelist of this religion. It may require skill, but it sounds incrediably bland and stupid to my ears.

I respect general skill in musicianship. The ability to create well-defined, well-structured striking songs which raise actual emotions and sensations of beauty is what I like.

Alexi Laiho can be considered somewhat of a miracle. He manages to combine extreme technicality to beautiful and unpredictable melodies. He uses scales mankind has last heard in the middle ages. He writes terrific songs that really raise your pulse. 'Lake Bodom' from the album 'Something Wild' is a known practice song for intermediate/expert guitarists all over ... well, Finland . Althought you need to obtain 'Something Wild' and 'Hatebreeder' to see what true skill is all about, 'Follow The Reaper' is mainly pop music targeted for the US market.

Morten Veland is a curious choice. His riffs are extremely simplistic and he has never played anything I wouldn't be able to play after 30 seconds of listening. But his songs, god damnit! Such beauty is not meant for mankind. They're divine to the very core. And I have never heard such use of clean-sound electric guitar. His beautiful, yet simple acoustic riffs almost make me want to cry (not to mention his combined piano/distorted guitar riffs), althought I learned to play them after 30 seconds of listening . And he's the best metal singer (or groaner if you please) in the world.

Joe Satriani, well, he's just plain good .

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: fewtch on 2002-09-20 10:42:17

Nobody listed Michael Shenker, I can't believe it. He's definitely one of the greats... get UFO's "Strangers In The Night" and listen to the solos in "Rock Bottom" and "Lights Out."

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Dezibel on 2002-09-20 10:46:50

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Conger on 2002-09-20 11:16:44

Roy Buchanan's name has not come up enough. Walter Trout's name should also have come up more. Check out Roy Buchanan's "John's Blues" & "Roy's Blues", and Walter Trout's "Dust My Broom" or "Marie's Mood".

How about Bill Nelson from Bebop Deluxe? I remember tracks called "Sister Seagull" & "Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape" as being particularly good.

Here's an idea. Instead of listing who you consider to be the best guitar player, list one or two tracks so those who don't know the names can listen to their best tracks. I have certainly learnt some new names here.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: niktheblak on 2002-09-20 13:06:36

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Here's an idea. Instead of listing who you consider to be the best guitar player, list one or two tracks so those who don't know the names can listen to their best tracks. I have certainly learnt some new names here.

That's actually a great idea. I don't see the topic 'greatest guitar player of all times' justified since even the very best players have recorded a lot of crap. And on the other hands, guitarists not deserving to be on this list on have recorded incrediable songs with some pretty amazing guitarwork.

A fairer topic would be 'top 5 songs which contain great guitarwork'

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Schlotter on 2002-09-20 13:25:48

@Dezibel

was butler the guy who played the strange solo on Mr. Crowley?

No, it was Randy Rhoades R.I.P (Ozzy Osbourne Band)

Geezer Butler is a Bass Player

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: smg on 2002-09-20 13:58:52

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It seems like everyone is listing the same sorts of guitar heroes as the greatest players. What about the innovators who radically changed the genre?

Describing Jimi Hendrix can be accomplished with one short phrase: "He was the single greatest rock guitarist to ever walk this earth." Indeed, few others revolutionized music as Hendrix did. He came into public eye in the late 1960s, just as electronic rock and roll was coming into its own. Times were changing, and new artists were creating and redefining music for an entire generation.

In this, he lead the way. He transformed the guitar from a voice in a chorus, to the star of the show. At that time, and especially in his debute album 'Are You Experienced', Hendrix played notes and sounds no-one had ever heard before. It rates not only as a musical milestone, but as a major event in the cultural history of the 20th century.

Originally from Seattle, Hendrix first began grabbing attention in the New York club scene, and then moved to England in 1966 under the wing of manager and Animals alumnus Chas Chandler. It was in London that he found his fortune. Partnered with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, he formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and rock and roll has never been quite the same since.

After 1967's 'Are You Experienced', he released 'Axis: Bold As Love' and 'Electric Ladyland' (both in 1968) to take his place among the most popular artists of the time. His unforgettable performances at the Monterrey Pop Festival in 67 and Woodstock in 69 became the stuff of legends.

Tragically, Hendrix died on September 18, 1970 from what the coroner listed as "inhalation of vomit due to barbituate intoxication." It seems now to be a cruel twist of fate. Hendrix was by no means a saint, but neither was he among the most rampant drug users among his peers.

Two albums, that although released after his death, stand as part of his legitimate discography are 1970's 'Band of Gypsys' and 1971's 'Cry of Love'. The former was recorded on New Year's Eve in 1969 and features his post-Experience line-up with Buddy Miles on drums and Billy Cox on bass. The latter was a work in progress finished by producer Eddie Kramer and Mitch Mitchell. His other unfinished project at the time of his death was to be titled 'The Land of the New Rising Sun', and unfortunately surfaced as 1995's pathetic exploitation 'Voodoo Soup'.

Nuff Said

BTW To learn to play like Jimmi, You must take a right handed guitar, turn it upside down and play it backwards, then play behind your back and also with your teeth.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: john33 on 2002-09-20 14:15:48

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And last of all, why haven't more people mentioned David Gilmour? The Pink Floyd guitarist has covered nearly all of the styles mentioned and has done so with a sense of style and class that is almost unheard of. Very few shred and prog guitarists actually speak with their guitars, much less on the level that Gilmour did.

This is also particularly surprising since there seem to be so many Floyd fans around here!!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: flat_top on 2002-09-20 15:10:05

Nobody has mentioned Chet Atkins yet, so I will.

Many years ago I bought two records of Chet Atkins / Les Paul duets. One LP was called "Chester & Lester", the other was "Guitar Monsters". The songs include various standards such as "Moonglow", "It Had to be You", and "Over the Rainbow". What I really enjoy about these recordings is the sense that you are right there in the studio with these two guitar greats, hearing the interplay between them ... it's a fascinating listen.

I still have the LPs, but haven't played them in a long time. I recently found a compilation CD (by BMG) of these same two LPs, so I have been listening to the CD instead. Give it a try, if you enjoy guitar, you won't be disappointed.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: bryant on 2002-09-20 17:16:24

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Nobody has mentioned Chet Atkins yet, so I will.

I haven't listened to a lot of Chet Atkins, but I do have the duet CD he did with Mark Knopfler (another name mentioned here) called "Neck and Neck" and really like it. I'll try to get a hold of that Les Paul stuff.

BTW, I remember you from way back in the MP3.COM days with coobird and everybody, right!? Well, glad to see you're still around and going well.

Another guitar great I haven't seen listed yet is Leo Kottke.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Volcano on 2002-09-20 17:23:12

Sabre:

Quote

The Pink Floyd guitarist has covered nearly all of the styles mentioned and has done so with a sense of style and class that is almost unheard of.

Jep. Listen to Dark Side Of The Moon, then Delicate Sound Of Thunder (Live) and then The Division Bell. Wow.

[BTW: In a different thread I said I didn't own any Pink Floyd studio albums yet. I guess as a 16-year-old I don't have to excuse myself for not having gotten hold of these albums any earlier - look at what my mates listen to...]

flat_top:

Chet Atkins also recorded an album with Mark Knopfler (called "Neck To Neck" or something like that and released in 1990), you might want to try that. Next time I go to the library I'll take a look at it, just out of curiosity.

CU

Dominic

Edit: bryant was faster than me about the Mark Knopfler/Chet Atkins album.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: bryant on 2002-09-20 18:22:02

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Chet Atkins also recorded an album with Mark Knopfler (called "Neck To Neck" or something like that and released in 1990), you might want to try that. Next time I go to the library I'll take a look at it, just out of curiosity.

There’s a very funny song on that CD called “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” where Chet is lamenting having lived a quiet life and not been the wild rock and roller with all the groupies and other “benefits” that go along with it. Mark replies “Well, them groupie girls ain’t what they’re cracked up to be; not all of them anyway.” Here's the clip (http://www.wavpack.com/changes.mp3).

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: rjamorim on 2002-09-20 20:16:01

IMO, The Edge (from U2) should be mentioned in this thread too.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Seed on 2002-09-20 22:40:33

I enjoy listening to Mick Ronson's guitar.. he's contributed a lot to the earlyDavid Bowie sound.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: xmixahlx on 2002-09-21 00:28:36

new additions...

bela fleck of the flecktones [yeah, it's a banjo... but so what?]

blues:elmore jamesfreddy kingalbert kingmuddy waters

really... there are just too many good guitarists in various flavors of music...

forgetting les paul and people that pioneered some sort of technique with the guitar and just pick one person that could rock ANYONE's socks off...

who would that be?

terry kath, r.i.p.

latermike

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: sony666 on 2002-09-21 01:59:14

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...3. Rhandy Rhoads - The heart and soul of Black Sabbath next to Ozzy before he passed on. ...

Randy never played for Sabbath.Tony Iommi is the one and only guitarist BS ever had, and ever will have

Um back to topic.. I don't really care, all guitarists sound the same to me.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Lizard on 2002-09-21 02:13:52

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: flat_top on 2002-09-21 03:38:13

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BTW, I remember you from way back in the MP3.COM days with coobird and everybody, right!? Well, glad to see you're still around and going well.

Well hello again, bryant. Yes, I remember you too from the old mp3.com days. I haven't forgotton your informative, well written posts and your great sense of humor (I still remember a thread on the subject of audiophiles that had me rolling on the floor ... something about the audio enhancement properties of tiger semen ... Ha! ).

I see that you are continuing your online presence with input here at the Hydrogen Audio forums. I lurked at Roel's site for a long time, I rarely posted, but since the r3mix bb has floundered recently, I decided to visit here and see what's going on.

BTW, thanks for the tip on the "Neck and Neck" Chet Atkins / Mark Knopfler recording. I have to look it up, since you and Volcano both mentioned it.

Someone listed James Hetfield as one of the best.I think James is a great composer and pretty good , fast , solid , intense with rhythm guitar but....I don't think he has the technical skills needed to be one of the best.He's not that good playing lead guitar (I've heard lots of Metallica bootlegs).

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: marcan on 2002-12-15 13:37:30

DAVID GILMOUR.

Just listen to Astronomy Domine (Ummagumma, Live), Wish you were here, Comfortably numb, We Got Married (Paul McCartney) and High hopes (Pulse).

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: deafmutelame on 2002-12-15 17:19:42

...awww these kids...

...a thousand notes a second don't mean anything...

do you want feeling? do you want chicken skin?

Then I dare you to listen to Albert King's "I'll play the blues for you Parts 1 & 2" (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=H565391), the song, not the album.

As soon as right in the middle of the song, he is about to begin his solo and he says "excuse me....", fasten your seatbelts...

And if you want to hear what's probably one of the best live blues shows ever recorded, then check the legendary Albert King's Wednesday Night in San Francisco (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A6h867uw0h0jw) & Thursday Night in San Francisco (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A58rj281c05na), Recorded Live at the Fillmore Auditorium, back in 1968. You won't regret it.

Love it or your money back! All I ask is that if you like it, you send me a private message to say thanks and recommend me another MUST listen album.

Jimi Hendrix was Albert King's biggest fan, he spent a lot of time learning his licks.

And the summit of feeling is B.B. King playing HIS note. He says more with that SINGLE note than any others with a zillion.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: dB on 2002-12-15 17:26:56

Eddie Van Halen

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: M on 2002-12-15 22:17:54

Let's see... I saw Leo Kottke listed a little earlier; anyone wanting a good starting point for his work should check out his very first album (it's the ideal starting point; no vocals, so all you hear is the guitar, and his "Vaseline Machine Gun" is a classic!): 6- and 12-String Guitar (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003Z91/qid=1039989568/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music&n=507846).

Another name no one seems to have noticed is "Spider" John Koerner... best known for his work with Koerner, Ray & Glover. My favorite of his works (Running Jumping Standing Still (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001BA1/qid=1039989760/sr=1-12/ref=sr_1_12/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music) with Willie Murphy) doesn't show off his guitar as well as some, but it's a heckuva recording.

What about Randy California? I've seen I don't know how many posts exalting Jimi Hendrix, but Randy was in Jimi's pre-Experience band: Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. Later he went on to front his step-father's band, Spirit. For Randy solo, try Kapt. Kopter & the (Fabulous) Twirly Birds (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000024ERJ/qid=1039990580/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music).

Are you into classical/jazz guitarists? Try Django Reinhardt. And fortunately, his work is being thoroughly restored on compact disc. There are two major volumes worth investigating (so far; as other recordings are located, JSP is remastering them for further discs in the series): The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004S5WA/qid=1039994167/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music) is a 5 CD set, followed by Paris and London: 1937-1948 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005A7KP/qid=1039994167/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music), a 4 CD addendum.

David Crosby might be described as one of the great understated masters of alternate tunings; check out his first (following the first break-up of CSN) solo album, If I Could Only Remember My Name.... (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002I6T/qid=1039998860/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/102-5511359-0659326), which also features contributions by several other well-known guitar greats, including Neil Young, Paul Kantner (of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship) and half the Grateful Dead.

Speaking of the Grateful Dead, one of Jerry Garcia's most interesting solo projects isn't on any Dead/JGB album... it's on the remastered, deluxe edition of the soundtrack to Zabriskie Point (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000033TH/qid=1039999405/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5511359-0659326?v=glance&s=music). The producers took Jerry into a dark room, set up a projector and played the love scene over and over for him, and he played what he felt. The second disc of this set has four complete takes of his aural interpretation (over a half hour of pure music), while the soundtrack version on the first disc is a composite from a number of different takes. Essential. [For the David Gilmour fans, this soundtrack also contains seven otherwise-unavailable (officially) Pink Floyd recordings, including two attempts at the love scene.]

- M.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: DoomAxe on 2002-12-16 03:34:29

Dave Mustaine & Dimebag.... that's enough for me B)

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: jct20878 on 2006-11-03 05:00:58

PETER FRAMPTON

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: TomGroove on 2006-11-03 08:14:34

wow, I guess, they are listed now: Hendrix, Van Halen, Beck, Satriani, Ackermann etc.... What great moments of Music !!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: PoisonDan on 2006-11-03 08:18:39

This thread has been dead for almost 4 years.

Could this be a new "resurrection" record for HA?

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: TomGroove on 2006-11-03 10:56:36

ooopppsss, wasn't even looking at the dates....but you are correct, jct did pull it out of the timezone

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: cyberVera on 2006-11-03 17:01:43

Zak Wylde

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Piffles on 2006-11-03 20:10:35

Okay, I'll try and single out one guitarist for each genre...

Classical: Andrés Segovia (worlds better than all the others in my opinion)

Flamenco: Vicente Amigo (most people would probably pick Paco de Lucía but I think Vicente has a more emotional touch and more interesting ideas)

Jazz: Jim Hall (not an easy choice but he's the one who impressed me the most with his innovative ideas and his technique)

Rock, Pop: Mark Knopfler (that's another easy one, no one comes near him in terms of expressiveness and composing skills)

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: shakey_snake on 2007-10-28 04:32:16

Robert Johnson. Everyone is just an attempted imitation.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: SumnerH on 2008-01-07 08:04:41

It's criminal how little mention Les Paul gets in this thread, considering that he's maybe the only person who you could say is clearly _far_ more influential than Hendrix or Robert Johnson on modern guitar music.

OTOH, all my top 10 picks have at least been mentioned in the thread.

My top 10 in no particular order (though on another day Clapton might be off in favor of one of 3-4 others).Les PaulDjango ReinhardtChet AtkinsAndres SegoviaPaco de LuciaRichard ThompsonJimmy HendrixEric ClaptonRobert JohnsonB. B. King

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: pepoluan on 2008-01-07 18:34:16

For me?

Andres Segovia, of course

There's another one, but he's not a world-known guitar player. He's famous though in my country. His name is Jubing Kristianto. Sample his guitar mastery by downloading some MP3s from his personal website here ( http://geocities.com/jubing/index2.html (http://geocities.com/jubing/index2.html) ) and tell me what you think

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: rohangc on 2008-01-08 04:32:12

Steve Harris, Iron Maiden. Not many can play bass the way he does!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Fuchal on 2008-01-08 06:29:47

John Petrucci, Adrian Belew, Roine Stolt

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: SumnerH on 2008-01-11 07:54:41

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: S-12 on 2008-02-18 23:29:12

It's hard to believe no one here listed Stanley Jordan (unless I missed it). I saw him live many years ago, and I can say it's even more thrilling than hearing a top-notch recording of his work. I was simply entranced with the way he could seemingly make the strings do exactly what he wanted. And his rendition of Dixie and Yankee Doodle played at the same time on one guitar is astonishing. Even several of the other songs he played sounded like there were two, and sometimes even three, guitars going, when it was only him. THAT takes a special kind of mastery.

But he's not my favorite guitarist - that title belongs to David Gilmour. And of all his work, what stands out the most to me are several of Pink Floyd's unpublished live recordings, where the band tended to explore "uncharted realms" more than they did in the studio:

> "Embryo" on Bytes of the Talisman> "Any Colour You Like" on Dark Side of the Moon - Live (Soundboard)> "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" on The Great Gig on the Moon (although the general recording quality is poor on this one, you can still tell the guitar work is top shelf)> Of the many wonderful, live "Blues" renditions, my favorite is the one on Stranger Than Fiction> The whole of Echoes in the Gardens, the content of which was a recap of DSotM, bits of WYWH and a very exciting precursor to Animals, represents an outstanding synopsis of Dave's abilities with a Stratocaster.

And Pink Floyd's more accessible 1975 release, Wish You Were Here, presents some of Gilmour's finest guitar work throughout.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: GregDunn on 2008-02-19 17:40:52

Trying not to duplicate too many of the choices (why echo what others have already said well?), but I have to agree with the following... limited to guitarists I'm extremely familiar with, so not to disrespect many others' choices:

FrippZappaHoldsworthLeggKottke

And a man who sadly died at the peak of his ability, yet still not as widely known as he should have been:

Michael Hedges

If you're not familiar with his work, check it out. His style combined hammering, tapping, sliding, percussive transients, alternate tunings and un-fretted "harp" string playing (using specially constructed instruments) to create a unique approach to the acoustic guitar. I think sometimes he even used a pick.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Son of Metal on 2008-04-19 14:52:41

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: heyho on 2008-07-15 22:21:27

Iomi is certainly a legend, and as already mentioned, pretty much invented metal on his own!

I've scoured all 4 pages so far, and have not heard Tom Morello mentioned.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Neasden on 2008-07-17 22:06:45

I will stick with Joe Satriani, I like the type of his records, totally instrumental and he writes very good songs and arrangements. Also, he is way better than Noel Gallagher (hey Noel I guess you're no genius after all), and a very humble and simple guy that will talk to anyone in the street. That's Joe.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: dyneq on 2008-07-18 02:36:04

Right now (it changes...), these guitarists hold up after repeated listening (in no particular order!):

Jerry Garcia (timbre, pace, tone, variety, experimentation; he was a musical scholar of impeccable taste!)Joni Mitchell (not many females in this thread - and her style is also instantly recognizable)Mark Knopfler (moreso early in his career...)Neil Young (just because he does it his own way - beautiful acoustic melodies and harsh, yet melodic, over-driven tube distortion).Taj Mahal (pure soul - you've got to feel it!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: trebordean on 2008-07-18 12:51:42

Right now (it changes...), these guitarists hold up after repeated listening (in no particular order!):

Jerry Garcia (timbre, pace, tone, variety, experimentation; he was a musical scholar of impeccable taste!)Joni Mitchell (not many females in this thread - and her style is also instantly recognizable)Mark Knopfler (moreso early in his career...)Neil Young (just because he does it his own way - beautiful acoustic melodies and harsh, yet melodic, over-driven tube distortion).Taj Mahal (pure soul - you've got to feel it!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: trebordean on 2008-07-18 13:04:53

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Northpack on 2008-09-23 21:02:13

Although this list seems very rock-orientated it's a shame and it once more shows what a wrongful world we live in (), that one name hasn't been mentioned yet at all:

Bert Jansch

Founding member of Pentangle, having the greatest influcence on both 60 and 70 folk music as much as on rock music (Jimmy Page imitated his style as well as Nick Drake did...). He very much elaborated the style

Davey Graham

had invented - merging the former different styles of english folk and blues guitar.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: CFH on 2008-09-27 06:47:22

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: jazzthieve on 2008-12-17 02:11:36

If you would ask most of your favorite guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, stevie ray vaughan, knopfler who their guitar hero's would be you're sure to find the name "Django Reinhardt" on the top of their list. Playing the guitar masterfully with only two working fingers on one hand this is my number one.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Cidinho on 2009-01-20 15:24:20

It seems like everyone is listing the same sorts of guitar heroes as the greatest players. What about the innovators who radically changed the genre?

Andres Segovia made the guitar a recognized performance instrument, and without him there's no telling what the instrument would be used for today. His classical work is amazing. Also, Spanish and flamenco guitarists from that time used the tapping technique... just a wee bit before Van Halen came around.

[...]

And last of all, why haven't more people mentioned David Gilmour? The Pink Floyd guitarist has covered nearly all of the styles mentioned and has done so with a sense of style and class that is almost unheard of. Very few shred and prog guitarists actually speak with their guitars, much less on the level that Gilmour did.

I don't write this to say that a lot of the guitarists mentioned so far aren't worthy, but I am surprised that there is such a strong focus on guitar heroes instead of true innovators that seek to communicate with their music. And yes, I know I'm not the first to mention some of these guitarists, but they don't seem to be getting their due credit.

I do get your point, but get mine in return. We must mention here the guitarists that brought our emotions outside our bodies, for the amazing music they play. Not someone who invented or whatsoever. Or else we should thank the first man who had the brilliant idea of strumming a string.

Anyway, it's hard to put a top. In no particular order,Joe SatrianiKirk - MetallicaSlash - Guns N Roses (how come no one mentioned him?!)Sonata Arctica's guitarrist - not the best skills, but the best emotionMathias - ScorpionsEagles's guitarrist - Never heard his name, but the reality is that anyone who composed and played Hotel California deservers being mentionedSteve Vai - don't like him much, actually. But I must mention.Jimi Hendrix - comment needed? The man even has his own freaking chord! Hendrix chord, google it.Chuck BerryAerosmith

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Mike19 on 2009-03-19 14:55:10

I seem to be a little bit late on this thread. But, it was fun reading, bringing back memories.

All of my candidates have already been mentioned at least once.

But, let's not forget the many anonymous, but wonderful studio guitarists.

Not much mention of current players - I'll throw in John Mayer.

One inovative old timer - Bo Diddley.

Did anyone watch the Grammies? Cary Underwood's back up band had a female lead guitar player who was world class. Tried to find out who she was with no success. She was both ear and eye candy.In accordance w/ TOS #8, I need to find her and perform a double blind ABX.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Anas on 2009-03-19 15:15:14

I love how Jon Finn doesn't bore me to death with multiple minutes of pointless guitar solos/speedy shrieking like a lot of guitar players do (especially those usually adored by metalheads eg Herman Li).Of course a lot of the guitar players mentioned here do not fall in this category. I just wanted to give you a feeling why I like Jon Finn so much. Danny Godinez is also worth a mention. Very nice music.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: jido on 2009-03-21 03:22:01

I don't know much... But I like Gilberto Gil's guitar.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Jeni on 2009-03-21 12:06:38

Chuck BerryTom Morellogilmour

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: snakes&ladders on 2009-04-09 05:18:01

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: A_Day_Without_Me on 2009-08-30 05:48:19

1. Prince2. The Edge3. Jeff Lynne4. Tom Morrello5. Jimmy Page

6. Les Paul

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: metal24 on 2009-10-01 03:35:29

1-Eddie Van Halen2-Randy Rhoads3-Dime Bag4-Zakk Wylde5-Dave Mustaine

Yes Metal Rules!!

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: а.п.т. on 2009-10-01 07:52:25

I like many artists because of their specific technique, but also because of their ideas or what they have contributed to the music heritage. And sometimes because they take part in some of my favorite bands/albums. Since the number is no limited, I'll throw the first coming to my mind.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: GregDunn on 2009-10-01 19:44:00

Jeff Beck. Top of my list in 1966, and in 2009. Melodic, stylish, articulate, and lightning quick. The man can get more styles out of a single instrument than any other living guitarist. And he plays (typically) without a pick or an effects box. GE Smith, also one of my faves, asked Beck to show him up close how to play some of his licks. Beck obliged. GE said, "I still couldn't figure out what he was doing."

Also +1 for Django. And don't forget Charlie Christian.

+1 for Billy Gibbons, specifically mentioned by Hendrix when he was asked about guitarists he liked.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: MostlyHarmless on 2009-10-02 14:07:36

Some bass players were already mentioned here, so I'll add one more:Cliff Burton (r.i.p.)After him Metallica is not the same. Not that what I like.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Kujibo on 2009-10-02 19:21:25

Jimi Hendrix - I don't absolutely love a lot of his main studio releases because of the production and cheesy (backing) vocals, but if you dig deeper and hear a lot his raw bluesy wildman jams, it's pretty amazing for the time.

Paco De Lucia - I'd list him over any pure classical players because he brings a lot more passion and flare to what he does due to his diverse styles.

Eddie Van Halen - A lot of people say he is just a shredder and I think they are nuts. Forget the two handed tapping and all that, to me its the high intensity speedy blues licks that are amazing. E.g. listening to parts of the hot for teacher solo. I still don't hear too much playing like that from other players.

Joe Satriani - I can't stop listening to him lately. For me its not even so much about his amazing technical proficiency. It's the slower well articulated melodies and emotional chord progressions in his song writing that are his strength (always with you, always with me, etc.). To me it's like he is the Kenny G of guitar, but not in a sucky way =). Just imagine Kenny G belting out Satriani melodies, so easy to do... ok... flame away =).

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pretty similar to Hendrix, but mellower. It's the tone he gets via his equipment and hands that amazes me. People buy guitars and set them up like he did just to try to get the tone (yeah I did too). He's the only one out of this group who I can tolerate the singing of too =).

John Petrucci - I can't think of much of his work that I have liked in Dream Theater. But the few solo and small collaborations I have heard amaze me. Somewhat similar to Satriani in style in achieving some strong melodies, but he is probably technically more proficient, and he is more into the improvisation thing I think.

Title: Greatest Guitar Players Of All Times
Post by: Antonski on 2009-10-05 13:38:09